Lower eastern region (Kenya)

The Lower Eastern region of Kenya, commonly referred to by its indigenous name, Ukambani, is a geographic and cultural zone covering the counties of Machakos, Kitui County, and Makueni County. Lying to the east of the capital, Nairobi, south east of Mount Kenya region and stretching toward Tsavo, this region forms the southeastern part of Kenya's former Eastern Province. It is predominantly inhabited by the Kamba people, a Bantu ethnic group whose language (Kikamba) and traditions strongly define the area. As of 2023 it has a population of 3.76 Million people with Machakos Town being the largest urban center in the regions, other urban centers include Wote, Kitui, Mwingi and others.

The landscape of Ukambani is largely rural, with the regional population spread across semi-arid plains, rolling hills (such as the Mbooni, Kilungu and Iuani ranges), and small urban centers. Machakos County is the most populous of the three (around 1.42 million people as of the 2019 census), followed by Kitui (about 1.14 million) and Makueni (nearly 1.0 million). The communities of Lower Eastern Kenya maintain a distinct identity based on Kamba culture, known for its rich traditions of wood carving, music, and farming, despite frequent drought.